College Guide for LGBT Students

How to Find an LGBTQ-Friendly College

The college search can seem overwhelming for any student, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Factors like what majors are offered, how much it costs, and location all play a major role in college choice.

For LGBTQ students, however, one of the most important considerations is whether you'll feel welcome on campus. College is a time for self-exploration, and it's critical to have a safe and nurturing space to do that in.

Throughout the college search, students should feel free to ask as many questions as they need. College representatives are trained to explain every aspect of the campus, so students don't have to shy away from asking for more information, even if the questions seem awkward or difficult.

As they consider different possibilities, students may want to look for schools that are making a visible effort to support their gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, nonbinary, and queer students. Here are some of the most important things to look for in an LGBTQ-friendly college.

Campus Policies for LGBTQ Students and Staff

Finding a college that is committed to protecting the LGBTQ campus community is a top priority.

Students can also find out what type of training faculty and staff receive, what the reporting process is, and how these issues are handled if they arise. Even something as seemingly simple as changing the name on a student ID can be difficult at some schools, but this can be determined in advance through research. Students can also ask what kind of education and sensitivity training is included in student orientation, and if it addresses harassment policies on campus.

LGBTQ+ Student Life

Finding a school with a welcoming and supportive campus community is an important part of the college experience. Haddock advises students to research whether a college and its surrounding community are LGBTQ-friendly.

"Are there things happening that might raise a red flag?" Haddock said. If not, check to see if the school offers an LGBTQ resource center or community center, and if there are student-led pride organizations, events, and programs. A school that supports a vibrant, active LGBTQ student community will make that visible on their website, Haddock said. Joining queer clubs and organizations is also a great way to meet other LGBTQ students on campus.

Students can also use the Campus Pride Index to gauge how LGTBQ-friendly a school is. This tool rates schools from one to five stars based on the level of campus inclusion to identify the best schools for LGBTQ students. Campus Pride also maintains a list of the worst colleges for LGBTQ students based on which schools have applied for Title IX exemptions to discriminate against LGBTQ students or have a history of discrimination.

Gay, trans, nonbinary, and queer student athletes should also check their sports index to find out how inclusive a college's sports policies are.

Gender-Inclusive Housing

For students who plan to live on campus, it's important to check the school's policies regarding housing, Haddock says, including gender-neutral bathrooms and showers. Above all, LGBTQ students need to feel comfortable, safe, and respected in their home away from home. Check Campus Pride's resource to find schools that offer inclusive and gender neutral housing.

For students who plan to live off campus, search engines like Roommates.com, Roomies.com, and Sublet.com offer LGBTQ-friendly roommate finder services. You can post on there looking for a roommate, or find a profile for a roommate that meets your criteria.

Health Care and Counseling for LGBTQ Students

College is a time of personal growth and self-discovery for many students, and for some this may require additional counseling and support. Students may have experienced discriminatory behavior from health care providers in the past, so they may want to check with a prospective school to ensure that counselors and practitioners will welcome them, respect their privacy, and treat them with dignity. Similarly, students should check with the health clinic to confirm the facility can address any specific health care needs. If not, they may be able to refer students to a clinic off campus.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Finding schools that have queer studies as a major, a few classes, or part of the curriculum may be a priority for some LGBTQ students. Even if it isn't the top choice for a major, the option to take a few classes in related subject areas might be a benefit. What is or is not included in classes and majors can also be an indicator of campus climate and institutional support.

Online School for LGBTQ Students

Even students who plan to take all or most of their classes online should still consider these characteristics before choosing a school. If students aren't able to visit the school personally before making a selection, Haddock recommends looking at the school's website and printed materials carefully. "Representation matters," they said. "Online students need to see that their identities are being affirmed in the materials they're given."

Finding the Most LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges

The Campus Pride Index publishes a list of the best colleges for LGBTQ students each year, based on colleges' self assessments of how well they support gay, trans, gender nonconforming, queer, and other students under the LGBTQ umbrella. Criteria include policy inclusion, institutional commitment, academic life, student life, housing, safety, counseling and health, and recruitment and retention for LGBTQ students.

The Best Schools for LGBTQ Students

Location can also play a big role in how welcoming a community will be. Going to college in an LGBTQ-friendly state like New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Vermont may be a better option for gay, trans, nonbinary, and queer students.

Common Barriers for LGBTQ Students and How to Overcome Them

Both educators and organizations within the LGBTQ community have conducted studies to identify the most common obstacles faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming, and queer students. Haddock has observed some of these problems firsthand, and offers the following suggestions for overcoming them:

Feeling Ostracized

Depending on where they live and go to school, feelings of isolation, not belonging, or not being visible can be common for LGBTQ students, especially withought a strong queer community on campus. A 2021 study conducted by the Trevor Project showed that 75% of LGBTQ youth have experienced discrimination at least once in their lifetime. This situation can be even more pronounced if a student has chosen to attend a college with a particularly conservative administration, student body, or faculty.

Haddock urges LGBTQ students who feel as if they don't fit in to make the effort to find a community where they feel welcomed and respected. Haddock admits that resources, such as an LGBTQ office or center, may not be immediately visible so it may take some effort to locate these on campus. Students may need to ask peers or faculty members or search the school's website to find resources. They also note that some schools have established safe zones. "When individuals see those safe zone stickers around campus, they know that that individual is a safe, affirming person to talk to."

If they can't find community on campus, students may also be able to connect with gay, trans, and queer groups online.

Feeling Unsafe

Despite many schools' efforts to create a safe environment for all students, many LGBTQ students still experience discrimination, harassment, and violence based on their sexual orientations or gender identities.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows sexual orientation was the second largest motivator for on-campus hate crimes in 2018. According to a 2019 study from the Association of American Universities 22.8% of transgender, non-binary, and genderqueer and questioning students report experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact. These students are also at a higher risk for sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking than their cisgender peers.

Haddock advises any student who feels threatened or uncomfortable in any way to speak up by contacting a trusted faculty member, staff member, or the LGBTQ office on campus.

"My recommendation to students would be to learn to use their voice," they said. "I know how difficult that can be, so they must learn to do it in a safe manner so that they're not endangering their physical health, their mental health, or their academics."

If an incident occurs, Haddock encourages students to file a report with the LGBTQ office, the administrative office, or the campus police. "Even if the event does not meet the criteria for an actionable offense, they can help you," Haddock said.

Mental Health Issues for LGBTQ Students

Research shows that LGBTQ students are at a higher risk for anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance use disorder, and other mental health issues. This is likely due in part to previous or ongoing discriminatory treatment and harassment.

Some students also come out while in college, often because they have the freedom to explore their true identities for the first time. This experience can be filled with intense emotion and anxiety about how friends and family members will react. Trying to focus on academics during these periods of extreme stress or depression can be challenging.

Mental health issues should not and do not have to be endured alone, Haddock reminds students, and these services are readily available on or through most campus healthcare facilities. "Most universities have counseling services. I would say that it's very rare that you see an institution that does not have access to physical and mental healthcare."

Feeling Disconnected in the Online Environment

Many students opt to pursue their degrees online. Attending school virtually is ideal for some, but for others it can lead to feeling disconnected from peers and faculty. Haddock offers two pieces of advice for online students who want to feel more connected.

First, they advise spending more time interacting with peers and faculty online in a friendly, casual way, just as they would on campus. The other suggestion is to remember that on-campus services, such as an LGBTQ resource center, are available to online students, so they can reach out and request help, including local assistance.

"I've had phone calls from individuals who are taking online classes, and I've been able to connect them with resources in their own spaces," they explain. "There is a network of LGBT professionals across the country, and we talk to one another. I know that I can reach out to my colleagues and ask for help."